A recent study reveals that low morale is the result of repeated and
protracted exposure to emotional, verbal/written, and systemic abuse or
neglect in the workplace (Kendrick 2017; access information athttp://bit.ly/2yk5lc0). However, recent LIS scholarship on microaggressions,
continuing recruitment and retention problems, coverage of the historic
marginalization of African American librarians or library users of color, and
current developments in United States social and political spheres indicate
more research is needed to discover other factors that may impact low-morale
development for this group.

If you are:
a) A racial or ethnic minority credentialed (earned the MLIS or
equivalent) North American academic librarian who
b) Has worked or currently works in an academic library in the United
States and
c) Has experienced low-morale as defined above,

You are invited to participate in a research study designed to: 1) to discover
differences in the emotional trajectories of and physiological impacts on
racial or ethnic minority North American academic librarians who identify as
having a low-morale experience, 2) to identify professional, social,
institutional, or political systems, policies, or practices that cause or
impact the development of this group’s low-morale experience, and 3) to
discover how these causes/impacts, systems, or practices and emotional and
physiological changes are identified, mitigated or resolved through myriad
cognitive, physical, verbal, or other processes and actions.

This study is investigated by Kaetrena Davis Kendrick (Associate Librarian,
Associate Professor, University of South Carolina Lancaster).

If you choose to participate, I will conduct a telephone interview with you
that will last 45-60 minutes, and you will also be asked to complete a brief
survey which should only take 5-6 minutes to complete. Survey responses will
be anonymous and kept separately from interview responses. Interviews will be
confidential and participants will not be identified personally.

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you are interested in
participating, please contact me directly by phone or email to set up a
telephone appointment. If you know of anyone else who might be eligible and
who is interested in participating, please feel free to forward them this
message.

If you have questions about this study, you may contact the researcher at the
contact points listed above. If you have questions or concerns about your
rights as a participant in this research study, you may contact the University
of South Carolina’s Office of Research Compliance at 803-777-7095.

Thanks for your interest in and support of this study.
Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, M.S.L.S.